Your place for Minnesota Twins and New Britain Rock Cats coverage, analysis and opinion.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Wednesday's Twins Minor League Update

At least 2, possibly 3, Rock Cats
players deserve a Sept. call-up
to Minnesota
As you probably are aware, every Wednesday night I write an update for TwinsDaily on all the happenings in the minor league system. Before I get to that, I've been getting some questions on Twitter lately about the Rock Cats and September call-ups to Minnesota. There are at least two deserving players from the Rock Cats to whom the Twins should give consideration: Aaron Hicks and Oswaldo Arcia (I would also throw Chris Herrmann in that mix just to see what he can do against major league pitching). Arcia, especially, has been absolutely impressive in his couple months in Connecticut, posting a .317/.386/.521 line with 12 doubles, 2 triples, 6 home runs and 42 RBIs in only 167 AA at-bats. If the Twins were going to give a call-up to either Hicks or Arcia, my vote would be for Arcia. Hicks has had an excellent season, as well, but I like the PR message of having the confidence to send a guy who is only 21 years and 3 months old to the big leagues, at least for a month (not to imply that Hicks is old by any means). For the second year now, the Twins are awful, but demonstrating to the fan base that there is indeed very young talent on the way could, perhaps, alleviate a little of the pain caused by the past couple seasons. In fact, Arcia has been so impressive that, if he keeps his pace, I think a compelling argument can be made for him to rank as the second best Twins prospect.

One more note before the update. Chris Colabello, arguably the best human interest story for the Twins, continues to crush Eastern League pitching. His .286/.349/.502 line is solid; his 18 home runs are good for 4th in the Eastern League; his 32 doubles are tied for first; and his 84 RBIs are first in the league by a wide margin -- 12. Most impressive to me, though, is that he has increased his batting average in each month from June to August. So what should the Twins do with him? Justin Morneau is blocking Chris Parmelee at first base, relegating Parmelee to AAA. Correspondingly, it would seem that Parmelee is blocking Colabello, who in my opinion is deserving of a promotion. Colabello is 28, so if the Twins have any plans for him beyond minor league depth, they might want to act sooner than later. Now, the update.
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Yesterday's Twins game was disappointing on several fronts. The Twins lost a chance for a sweep, Ben Revere failed to extend his impressive hit streak, and Tsuyoshi Nishioka continued to look ... confused at second base. Oh well. Let's take a look at the action down on the farm.

ROCHESTER 3, SCRANTON/WB 7
Shairon Martis turned in a quality start, tossing 7 innings and giving up 2 runs on 5 hits. He struck out 4 and walked 2, but did allow 2 home runs. Deolis Guerra had a tough outing. In 1 inning of work he allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, striking out 1. Kyle Waldrop lasted only 2/3 of an inning, giving up 3 runs on 3 hits and a walk. Lucas French threw the remaining 1/3 of an inning.
Chris Parmelee was 2-for-4 with a double, and is batting .354 at AAA. Matt Carson (12) and Clete Thomas (11) both homered for the Red Wings. Eduardo Escobar and Brian Dinkelman singled.

Here's the link to the box score.


NEW BRITAIN 3, BINGHAMTON 8
It seems like most of the quality arms have left New Britain. Tonight, Aaron Thompson got the nod, and lasted 5 and 2/3 innings. He gave up 6 runs on 5 hits and 5 walks, and struck out 3. Marty Popham allowed 2 runs in 1 and 1/3 innings on 3 hits. Finally, Edgar Ibarra tossed a scoreless frame, striking out 2.

Chris Colabello continues to impress. He was 2-for-4 tonight with his 18th home run and his 84th RBI. Oswaldo Arcia was 1-for-2 with his 12th double. He also struck out, walked, and had a sac fly. Aaron Hicks hit his 7th triple and walked. Chris Herrmann and Nathan Hanson also had singles.

Here's the link to the box score.


FT. MYERS 7, JUPITER 2
In this rain-shortened game (7 innings), Pat Dean picked up his 7th win of the season tonight, going 6 solid innings. He allowed 2 runs on 7 hits, striking out 3 and walking 2. Clint Dempster threw a scoreless 7th inning, allowing 2 hits.

Daniel Santana was 2-for-4 with 2 doubles, Daniel Rams had 2 singles in 4 at-bats, and 2 RBIs. Lance Ray was 2-for-3 with a triple, and Levi Michael, Josmil Pinto, Michael Gonzales, Andy Leer and Angel Morales all singled. Leer's single drove in 2 runs, as well.

Here's the link to the box score.


BELOIT 4, QUAD CITIES 1
Matt Tomshaw picked up his 4th win of the season, turning in a great start. He went 7 and 2/3 innings and gave up 1 unearned run, allowing 6 hits and striking out 4. No free passes. Dallas Gallant earned the save, throwing 1 and 1/3 innings, allowing no hits and striking out 1.

JaDamion Williams hit his 5th home run of the season tonight, a solo shot. Jairo Rodriguez was 2-for-4 with a double. Drew Leachman had 2 singles and a walk in 3 at-bats, and Eddie Rosario, Miguel Sano and Stephen Wickens all singled. Sano (38) and Rosario (14) also had errors this evening.

Here's the link to the box score.

ELIZABETHTON 5, JOHNSON CITY 2
Brett Lee got the start and went 4 innings, giving up 1 run on 3 hits, striking out 7! Kaleb Merck tossed a scoreless 5th, allowing 2 hits and striking out 1. Tyler Duffey threw 2 scoreless innings, striking out 2. J.T. Chargois allowed 1 run on 2 hits in an inning of work, striking out 1. Luke Bard tossed a perfect 9th.

Max Kepler had a huge day. He was 4-for-4 with 2 singles, a double (10) and a home run (8). He drove in 2 runs, as well. Adam Walker hit 2 solo home runs in 4 at-bats, giving him 11 on the season. Byron Buxton was 2-for-4 in his E-Town debut, and Candido Pimentel and Niko Goodrum both singled.

Here's the link to the box score.

GCL Twins 6, GCL Orioles 7
Felix Jorge started for the Twins today, and went 4 innings, giving up 1 unearned run on 2 hits, striking out 4 and walking 1. Gerardo Ramirez worked 1 inning and gave up 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk. Thereafter, Trent Higginbotham gave up 2 runs in 1 inning of work, surrendering 3 hits. Alexander Muren tossed 2 scoreless innings, striking out 1 and walking 1. Anthony Slama, rehabbing an injury, threw 1 perfect inning, and Hung Yi Chen allowed 2 runs in 1 inning of work on 2 hits.

Catcher Jorge Fernandez was 4-for-5 with 3 RBIs and a run. Great game for him. Joel Licon tripled and walked twice, and the following players all singled: Jeremias Pineda; Jose Ramirez; Dereck Rodriguez; Kelvin Ortiz; John Murphy; Javier Pimentel; and Logan Wade.

Here's the link to the box score.

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Players of the Day for Wednesday, August 8
Hitter of the Day: Max Kepler



Pitcher of the Day: Matt Tomshaw (This is how he would look if he showed up at your door to take your daughter to prom. Have her back by 11, Matt. No funny business.)


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Schedule for Thursday, August 9

Rochester vs. Scranton/WB --- RHP P.J. Walters
New Britain @ Binghamton --- LHP Logan Darnell
Ft. Myers vs. Jupiter --- RHP Matthew Summers
Beloit @ Quad Cities --- LHP Jason Wheeler
Elizabethton @ Johnson City --- RHP Ricardo Arevalo
GCL Twins @ GCL Orioles --- ???

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